The Green MLSToolkit is one solution for three different problems. A multiple listing service with relevant green data fields can:

Help buyers quickly find green homes

Make it easy to fully promote the special features of a green home, or a brown home with green retrofits

Support apples-to-apples comparison when it is time to appraise a green home

You can download a printable version of this toolkit online.

Green MLS is designed to support the flow of green home information/performance between the players in the marketplace. Value for green homes follows the information flow shown above. When high-quality, verifiable information about improved homes can pass to all the key actors in a transaction, fair value at closing can follow. A green MLS is often the hub that makes the information-sharing possible.

Why Green Homes?

According to the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) 2008 LEED for Homes Reference Guide:

"The environmental impact of the residential sector is significant. There are more than 120 million homes in the United States, and about 2 million new homes are constructed each year. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the residential sector accounts for 22% of the total energy consumed in the nation and 74% of the water. Levels of indoor air pollutants can often be four to five times higher than outdoor levels. The residential sector also contributes 21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. The considerable impact on the environment created by homes necessitates a shift toward sustainable construction and retrofits.

Green homebuilding and remodeling addresses these issues by promoting the design and construction of homes that have much higher performance levels than homes built to the minimum building codes. Generally, green homes are healthier, more comfortable, more durable, more energy efficient and have much smaller environmental footprint than conventional homes.

Breakthroughs in building science, technology, and operations are now available to designers, builders, operators and owners who want to build green and maximize both economic and environmental performance. Green homes rely upon established, proven design features and technologies that do not have a significantly large cost.

In fact, many green measures, particularly those that involve energy and water efficiency, will reduce long-term costs. Often these reductions in operating costs will more than offset the additional up-front costs of a green home. The homebuilding industry is beginning to recognize the value of healthy homes and environmentally responsible projects."

Recommended Green Link

Greening the MLS

See What Others Are Saying About The Green MLS Tool Kit

"I congratulate the National Association of REALTORS® for this essential toolkit that takes the next important step: translating green construction into demonstrable value for brokers and their customers all over the country."

Robert R. Jones
Chairman, 2010
National Association of Home Builders

"The Appraisal Institute is pleased to participate in this important effort to enhance the data found in the MLS."